Angline wins Triple Threat Award, receives Jimmy Awards nomination

Burnsville High School junior Kiara Angline was recently named a recipient of the Hennepin Theater Trust’s Triple Threat Award, which recognizes outstanding student performances in singing, dancing and acting. She’s the first BHS student to receive the honor since Jon Butler in 2019.

“When I found out I literally went to my mom and started crying. This is a huge step and hopefully it opens doors for our theater program and it can inspire underclassmen,” Kiara said. “This is something I’ve been waiting for since 10th grade so I’m really proud and just feel so fulfilled.”

As one of 24 students chosen from around the state as a finalist for the Triple Threat Awards, Kiara has been putting in long days of rehearsing in preparation for the Spotlight Showcase June 8-9 at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. She’s looking forward to performing for the public, as well as for the friends, family and directors who have supported her.

“It’s nice to be on stage with people in the audience supporting me and knowing they care about me and want to see me do well,” she said. “It’s a nice feeling to have a community behind you. I feel very proud that I get to represent Burnsville.”

Kiara was also selected as one of Minnesota’s two nominees for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. She will fly to New York in June for a week of rehearsing and coaching with musical theatre students from across the country and a talent showcase where awards and scholarships will be presented.

“I was shocked and surprised, but also incredibly excited. It’s an opportunity I’ve dreamed about, and I’m so grateful to be one of the students representing Minnesota,” she said. 

Kiara began acting while attending Nicollet Middle School. She participated in Summer Theatre through Burnsville Community Education during seventh and eighth grade and later performed in three productions with the BHS Theatre Guild: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mean Girls and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. After the BHS Theatre Guild received an Achievement in Theater honor for Mean Girls from the Hennepin Theatre Trust, the group earned the opportunity to perform at last year’s Spotlight Showcase. Inspired by that experience, Kiara decided to apply for the Triple Threat Award. 

“I saw the (Triple Threat) performance last year and I wanted to be on the stage doing what they were doing,” she said. 

In addition to performing and serving as vice president of the BHS Theatre Guild, Kiara participates in winter drum line, marching band, Link Crew, Burnsville Strong, AVID is a captain of the swing dance team. 

“What I love about performing is being on stage and making people feel happy and giving them entertainment. I always have,” Kiara said. “I feel like the stage is somewhere I really do feel comfortable and it’s a place where I can be an inspiration to others.”